WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University has renewed its commitment to research with the release of its 2014-2019 strategic research plan, “Commitment to the Future.”

“The strategic research plan is not only an aspirational vision for strengthening research at Laurier, but it is also an opportunity to showcase our research accomplishments and triumphs,” said Abby Goodrum, Laurier’s vice-president: Research.

The plan describes Laurier’s innovative research approach: its interdisciplinary collaborations, a longstanding history of engagement with its communities, and five thematic clusters of excellence: environment; governance and policy; health and well being; culture and society; and economics, markets and management.

The plan also provides a strategy for growth and improvement around four key goals: enhancing research culture, enriching graduate and postdoctoral support, expanding external research funding, and extending research infrastructure.

“The goals and recommendations in the strategic research plan will act as a roadmap for expanding research excellence,” said Goodrum. “I am proud of the tremendous accomplishments of Laurier’s community of researchers and am extremely excited about Laurier's research future.”

A 42-member strategic research plan taskforce spent a year conducting research and consulting with more than 300 stakeholders, including Laurier faculty and external research partners.

“Our objective was to engage our community in a discussion about our research goals, challenges and strengths as a means to shape our vision for Laurier research in the years to come,” said Goodrum.

The strategic research plan was approved by Laurier’s Senate in January and presented to the university’s Board of Governors Feb. 13, 2014.

An electronic summary document is available through a link on the Office of Research Services’ home page: www.wlu.ca/research.